High five, Mama

Today I challenged my Mary & Martha friends to journal using this topic, "God has chosen me for this good work:_________________________"

Of course, I never give out a challenge that I am not willing to complete myself, so I pondered this idea all day long. 

What is this good work that God has prepared in advance for me to do?

I considered the ways I had been uniquely gifted and what I feel He has called me to do, but it wasn't until tonight at the grocery store, that I had a tangible reminder of what those good works look like in my life. 

As I was paying for my groceries, I stumbled upon a spare Starbucks gift card that I had purchased to use as an incentive for my team. I hadn't sent it out yet, so I thought I might grab myself a coffee on the way out the door. I stuck the gift card in my back pocket, and finished checking out. As I left the store, I just wasn't in the mood for anything, and I could hear the holy spirit prompting me to listen to the voices around me. I knew I was listening for who I was supposed to give the gift card to.

I loaded everything in the car and nothing. I even put my purse on the front seat and loaded the watermelon in the carseat for safe keeping. Zilch. It wasn't until I went to put the basket away that I overheard the most beautiful conversation. 

It was a mama and her sweet girl...about the age of my Brooke. 

"You don't listen to the words of those bullies, ya hear me?"

"Yes, mama."

"No, I mean it. They are nothing but liars. You are an amazing girl, and I don't want to hear any more of those lies that they say about you. You understand?"

"Yes, mama."

"They are nothin' but bullies, that's what they are. And you are special."

Y'all. Can I just tell you that I wanted to run over and high five this incredible gift of a mama! I did walk over and say, "Way to go! You are winning at being a mom! I just want to give you this little treat to thank you for speaking life into your daughter. Those bullies are just jealous of her having such an amazing mom!"

She thanked me. And thanked me again!

Right there in the Kroger parking lot...Jesus showed up. I was blessed. I hope she was blessed, and I know that sweet girl figuring out who she is was blessed. 

Our words matter. They matter a whole bunch. And if we can just cheer each other on, we can all win in this thing called motherhood!

Speak Life

I am plumb tired! It's a 3-cup-of-coffee-day, and this dreary weather has me wanting to snuggle under a blanket rather than finish my commitments for the week.

I don't know about you, but this end of the year song and dance is absolutely exhausting, and to top it off, I added in swim lessons for the baby. Sure, it sounded good in theory for her to learn to swim before summer, but daily practice for 2 weeks right at the end of the school year, was not wise planning. 

Of course much has been written about the end of the school year, but this year has me beat. Add to that a trip out of town, a high school reunion, swim meets, unexpected doctor's appointments, and book reports...mama is ready for a nap!  Not to mention that one of my best friends has officially listed her house, meaning I can no longer be in denial about her long-distance move.

Tonight, as I headed up the stairs with yet another load of laundry, I have to admit, I was feeling downcast. I wanted to cry and call for takeout!  But, out of the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of this:

And when I rounded the corner, this little nugget tugged at my heart. 

My sweet firstborn found some of my encouragement bundles and wanted to remind us that God was on our side!!!

I love that our home is filled with messages that matter...words that speak life and truth and love to our tired places.

I love that my children know how to use those resources to encourage each other and breathe hope to our hearts.

The messages matter because our flesh gets tired and hurt and weakened. We need these reminders to restore our hearts and keep our focus on the TRUTH!

Check out the encouragement bundles: here

Cook With Love

Can I be honest with you? 

I don't really like to cook.  GASP!

I would be totally fine with snack dinners 365 days a year! 

You know, crackers, cheese & grapes or chips and dip served up until you were full. 

But, I know that's not what's best for my crew.

I don't know if it's lack of confidence, recipes with too many steps or unfamiliar ingredients, or just that I would rather be doing any number of other things. I cook because my family needs to eat. Period.

Sure, I love to bake and create yummy desserts, and I really enjoy making breakfast food, but that doesn't quite cut it either.

Here's the thing, though. I really LOVE sitting down to a home cooked meal.

I remember calling my grandmother after I bought and prepared my very first Thanksgiving meal. I called to tell her thank you for years of selfless service to her family. I called to say I was sorry for not being thankful enough for the sacrifice of resources and time required to prepare such a meal. I called to promise to do the same for my family and to always help her when I was able.

 She never complained. She never made it out to be a big deal. She just cooked with love so we could celebrate life together. Pies and homemade rolls, that to me would be much easier to buy at the store, were labored over days before the meal to make sure everyone had their favorites at the table.

Her hands kneaded dough and rolled out crust.

Her mouth tasted to make sure the flavor was impeccable.

Her eyes peered into the oven to be sure the tops were just the right shade of golden brown.

Her apron was dusted with flour...

Surprisingly, I'm not an apron girl. I use the front of my jeans to dust my hands, much to her dismay.

But, you know what? I really love to celebrate life. And I know all celebrations involve food. Yummy food prepared (or store bought and served up pretty) to make the celebration memorable.

 Psalm 36:8 says,

 "They feast on the abundance of your house; you give them drink from your river of delights."

Our Father provides an abundant feast for us...He delights in doing so! I can be more like my Father by following His example.

So whether you love to spend hours researching, planning, shopping, and preparing OR if you are more of a "semi-homemade" kind of girl, you can celebrate life and cook with love!

I love this beautiful reminder. The message matters for all the times I don't really feel like doing it. The message reminds me of my calling and the blessings I am charged with caring for. Oh, Lord, help me celebrate life and cook with YOUR LOVE!!!

Check out the apron: here.  

Cut it up and staple to a canvas for a fun wall decor piece!

#11-20

Yesterday we celebrated moms. 

Women who have chosen to selflessly give of themselves to their children. Children that have grown in their womb, in their heart, or perhaps children they have chosen to love through the many venues of life: school, church, dance, sports....the list goes on and on. 

Before I had children of my own, I called all of my students, "my kids." I cared deeply for their well-being, the condition of their hearts, the state of their minds. I prayed for them and spoke life into their souls. We celebrated their birthdays and cried when they ached. Pizza parties and cookie baking and trick-or-treating...we did it all.

Of course, a yearning always remained in my heart children of my own. Children that I would tuck in every night and sing to every morning. Admittedly, I am an idealist by nature, which means my vision of motherhood looked quite differently from how it has manifested. That said, I am truly grateful for each and every day with my precious blessings. I trust that on the hard days, God is refining me and this makes the enjoyable days that much sweeter!

Each of my daughters reflect the goodness of the Lord in unique ways.

My first daughter is incredibly compassionate and generous.

My middle girl is intricately detailed and persistent.

And the baby girl is filled with joy and light.

They treated me to a "Do whatever you want to do" day yesterday!!

What a joy!

So, here are blessings 11-12!

11.  Flowers arrangements from each of the girls. They are in the 3 rooms we spend the most time in and remind me of HIS beautiful blessings to me!

12. Having my family all attend worship together. We do every week, but I never want to take that forgranted.

13. An open table at lunch with no waiting!

14. Shopping outdoors on a beautiful day.

15. Macaroons!

16. A fish of my very own (we got a tank at Easter, and I was the only one who hadn't chosen a fish).

17. Starbucks!

18. No cooking or cleaning all day.

19. Art-inspired reflection time.

20. Heart conversations with my hubby.

  

So, what about you? Have you started recording your blessings? 

I would love for you to share them with me!!! Have a blessed day.

1,000 Gifts

 

About 4 1/2 years ago, I caught a glimpse of this beautiful journal. I was super excited to purchase it because I had requested the book by the same title for Christmas. Journaling has always been a part of my communication with the Lord, and a place to stay accountable to record His generous blessings seemed like the perfect addition to our time alone.

 

 Little did I know how it would change my life, the life of my family, and the lives of so many others both locally and around the globe.

 

 

I began my journaling adventure recording every little thing that made me smile.

 

1. Colorful envelopes in the mailbox

2. Girls considering the needs of others

3. Eager agreement at a first request

 

I tried with great effort to be intentional with my posts and not merely list the basics...family, friends, health...

 

 

Some posts were silly:

161. Slimy slug weaving its own path

173. Super glue for Brian's tooth...what an adventure!

484. The tooth fairy remembering...finally

 

Some warmed my heart:

156. "You are beautiful just like your mom"

900. Hugs that don't let go

 

Number 605 is special this weekend.

...the 2 that call me "mom"...

Little did I know that later that year another blessing would be knit together in my womb.

 

But the neatest part of this journal is that I can look back and recall the numerous ways the Lord provided, protected, challenged, encouraged, and healed.

Our family is far from perfect, but we do have fun. We do love Jesus, and we do love people. We try to make the everyday moments memorable.

 

The messages recorded matter because it is way too easy to forget about His goodness, dismiss His provision, or call His hand of protection "coincidence." He is so good. What a Father! His good gifts need to be remembered and shared!

 

So, I thought what better day than today to start another journey. I would love for you to come along with me! If you want to record in a journal like mine, I can help you with that. You can find it: HERE 

 

Let's start again.

 

1. Tea with my mom & Peggy

 

2. Flowers from Brian representing all 3 of our blessings

 

3. A sentiment written in a card that I feel completely blessed by

4. Celebrating the birthday of a cancer OVERCOMER

5. The postman offering me a bottle of water when he saw I was in need

 

6. Brooke's ocean box being completed

7. My big girls helping get teacher gifts mailed

8. Sweet texts from friends

9. Clara transformed into Elsa by her sisters

 

10. A hardworking UPS delivery man whose visits mean more TRUTH into HOMES

 

Remember, your messages matter. We were told to write them on our doorposts, to speak to our children about them and to tie them around our wrists. I think remembering must be important to the heart of our Father!

Coffee's On!

 

This morning unfolded like so many others.

I was awake WAY before I had planned to be. Fridays are our day to take it easy. The girls don't have online class, our extra curricular activities for the week are completed, and I enjoy the lingering in my pajamas!

Last night, I had not set an alarm and urged my husband to push his back an hour.

 

My middle daughter was up late having a Skype sleepover with some of her online school friends. She's a night owl anyway, so we regularly see 11 pm together.

My bonus baby, who will be 3 in just 2 months, woke up crying sometime around 3 am...my eyes were too sleepy to read the clock completely. I pulled her into our bed, which meant I spent the next few hours with sweet little arms and legs flailing around my face.

And my oldest, who hits her wall about 9:30 at night, woke up at 6 am hungry. I suggested a snack and tried my hardest to fall back asleep to no avail. 

 

So, here we are. Daddy and baby are sleeping. (I know she's technically not a baby, but I will probably refer her as such until she's 18!)

The Skype sleepover chatting has resumed, Brea is watching cartoons, and mama is putting the coffee on. Funny that seems to be a common theme around here! I remember my mom drinking coffee every morning, and I never really got it until now! It's just like a warm hug to welcome me into the day!

 

Kind of like the mercies of our father.

 

Lamentations 3:22-23 

"Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,

for his compassions never fail.They are new every morning;

great is your faithfulness."

 

Do you need new mercies today? Do you need a reminder to CHOOSE JOY or to begin each day with a grateful heart?

 

You see, it would be really easy to allow lack of sleep or irritation or resentment to settle in and hang over my heart like a cloud. And, my responses would be degrading and my effectiveness diminished. But, instead:  

 

 

My flesh would respond otherwise, feeling entitled to an annoyed demeanor. I know this because there are days I don't make the choice. Thankfully, the Lord gently nudges and reminds me to make a different choice!

 

And because I need to be reminded, I choose to place TRUTH in my home so I don't have to look far for my inspiration.

 

The message matters because what we read sinks into our hearts and then spills out in those moments we are pressed. When I read with each cup of coffee to "Begin each day with a grateful heart," my spirit lines up with HIS Spirit and my responses look a lot more like His! When I take in the message to 'Savor the Moments' it's easier to remember that someday I will get a full night of sleep and I will miss those little flailing legs.

 

It's a choice, friends. We can fill our hearts and homes with messages that speak LIFE & TRUTH! We can determine to let those messages make a difference today! 

 

Check out the: Savor the Moments Spoon

Check out the: Grace & Gratitude Mug

 

 

This is the Face of Someone Jesus Loves

"Mirror mirror on the wall, whose the fairest of them all?"

It's a question that has become memorialized in our minds as girls. As our reflections stare back at us, we question our worth and value. Are we thin enough, pretty enough, tan enough...the questions go on and on. 

And then there are the magazines that inundate us as we check out at the grocery store. Lose 10 pounds this week, they claim, as we glace with shame at the ice cream in our basket. 

I spent many of my high school and college years struggling with these questions, despite the fact that I had amazing parents who told me all the time how beautiful and smart and talented I was. 

But for whatever reason, the opinions of the world seemed to influence my unhealthy choices. 

I did whatever it took to be thin, and even staring in the mirror, under 100 pounds as a sophomore in college, I didn't see myself accurately. 

I still saw myself as the chubby middle-schooler who was called names on her way home from school. I recalled being overlooked at dances and having to try on dresses in sizes bigger than my mom. 

BUT GOD!

I always knew he loved me. But, did I really believe that He called me beautiful? 

Thankfully, He got ahold of my heart and reminded me of one of my greatest desires. 

To be a mom. 

The doctor told me that if I contined in my unhealthy patterns, I would be in danger of having my greatest dream taken away. So, I sought ways to get healthy...physically, mentally, and emotionally.

And now, as a mom to 3 beautiful daughters, I am charged with making sure I continuously remind them of the TRUTH. That they are seen. That they are loved. That they were chosen for an incredible purpose. That the Lord has plans for their lives that are exceedingly and abundantly more than all they could ask or imagine. 

I am responsible to make sure there are reminders of this truth in our home. That their reflections see images like, "This is the face of someone Jesus loves."

The Lord reminds us that, "I have loved you with an everlasting love." Jeremiah 31:3 

The message matters because our children are watching. They are watching to see if we see ourselves as beautiful. They want to know if they can trust their hearts to the Father. Let's make sure our messages match our mission.

Check out the: Jesus Loves Me Mirror

Love God & Loving Others

Matthew 22:37-39

Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ "

A few weeks ago we unexpectedly had guests in our home for an extended period of time. Our daughters do an online school, and one of Brea's classmates was in town for a family vacation. We had arranged to get together for lunch, but I didn't know how the rest of our time together would unfold. 

I had only had 1 phone conversation with the father, so other than a few facetime conversations and private message between the girls, this family was unknown to us. 

We treated them to TX BBQ, and invited them back to the house for coffee. Some time at the park and a treat at Sonic filled the afternoon. As the hours continued, I made a dinner plan, and the kids plotted a sleepover.  The night got later and later, and we decided the most logical plan was for everyone to stay the night. 

I threw sheets in the wash and we made another pot of coffee!!

A spontaneous family slumber party ensued!

I smiled to myself, because just hours before I could not have told you a single thing about any of them, but now, they were resting peacefully in my beds....but not for long! 

This happened to be the night of the historical flooding in Houston. This family from Washington had never experienced a thunder/lightening storm, and we all joked in the middle of flash flood alerts, that everything truly is bigger in Texas. 

We were up off and on through the night, and coffee was on early the next morning! As we prepared breakfast, Stephanie, the mom, asked me what the deal was with all the ampersands throughout the house. 

I laughed as I realized just how many places that symbol is strategically placed throughout our home. I shared with her that it is my reminder to LOVE God with all my heart, soul, mind and strength, and to LOVE my neighbor as myself.

As another pot of coffee was made and kids began making their way down the stairs, we checked on flights and found out our new friends would be extending their stay (all flights were canceled). We did not know if it would be one day or several, but we were up for the adventure. 

Then, the father got a call from his doctor. 

The spots he had checked the week before their trip, came back as melanoma. There in my home, he found out he had skin cancer. The week before that he had lost his job. 

I can't even describe this accurately in words. I knew God had prepared our hearts & home for such a time as this. 

I held my new friend on the couch, while her husband soaked in the news. Then, we all gathered together and prayed, hands laid upon each other, tears streaming down faces. 

And it was like we had known one another for years.

A few hours later, he was sleeping on my couch. Just like an old friend would after a Thanksgiving meal. He was peaceful, and my heart felt so much JOY. I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that the Lord was up to something amazing.

You see, the messages of our homes matter because they serve as a reminder. A reminder of our purpose and calling. They redirect our hearts when we get distracted, and they enable us to point others to the true source of peace, hope, and love!

Check out the: Ampersand Tray